Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Mech/Engr 371 Space Systems Design And Engineering: Introduction To Systems Engineering, Christopher Kitts

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A  PowerPoint presentation created by Professor Christopher Kitts of Santa Clara University on "MECH/ENGR 371 Space Systems Design and Engineering: Introduction to Systems Engineering" on November 12, 2013.

Spacecraft Subsystems - Class Presentation, Kevin Brown

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Kevin Brown on "Spacecraft Subsystems" on November 6, 2013.

Modification Of A Low Cost Vacuum Chamber For Use With An Electromagnetic Railgun, Jason M. Bertels

Aerospace Engineering

This report details the design and manufacture of modifications to a low cost vacuum chamber intended for railgun operations. These modifications intend to increase the functionality of the chamber and enable the modeling of high velocity impacts in a space. The original vacuum chamber was constructed primarily from polyvinyl chloride to meet the low cost design constraints, which limits pressures obtainable to the low vacuum region (760 Torr to 2 Torr). Modifications include construction of a space-saving storage rack, replacement of external door supports, installation of an internal guide rail, and installation of electrical feedthroughs.

Satellite Orbits An Introduction To Orbital Mechanics, Ben Malphrus

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation delivered by Professor Ben Malphrus on "Satellite Orbits An Introduction to Orbital Mechanics" on October 31, 2013.

Space Systems Engineering Sse 120 - Fall 2013 Space Lecture, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

Space Systems Engineering SSE 120 - Fall 2013, Space Lecture presented by Professor Bob Twiggs on October 15, 2013.

Space Environment-I Lecture - Powerpoint Presentation, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

Professor Bob Twiggs PowerPoint lecture on Space Environment presented on October 14, 2013.

Space Systems Engineering Sse 120 - Space Lecture, Fall 2013, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

Professor Bob Twiggs' preview questions for his space lecture on Space Systems Engineering SSE 120 delivered on October 14, 2013.

Defect Detectability Improvement For Conventional Friction Stir Welds, Chris Hill

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Syllabus For Space Systems Engineering 120: Satellites And Space Systems I (Fall 2013), Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

The Fall 2013 Syllabus for Professor Bob Twiggs' Space Systems Engineering 120: Satellites and Space Systems I Course taught at Morehead State University.

Space Radiation Environment - Space Systems Engineering Sse 120, Fall 2013, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

Lecture preview on "Space Radiation Environment" created by Professor Bob Twiggs on September 24, 2013.

Space Radiation Environment: Sse 120 By Richard Mcneil, Richard Mcneil

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation delivered by Richard McNeil on "Space Radiation Environment" on September 24, 2013.

Cosmic Perspective: Where Is Space, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint presentation created by Bob Twigg on September 19, 2013, related to the "Cosmic Perspective."

Elements Of Space Chapter 2: Entering Space & The Age Of Rockets, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "Elements of Space Chapter 2: Entering Space & The Age of Rockets" from September 3, 2013.

Assessment - Introduction To Sse-120: Sataellites & Space Systems I, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

PowerPoint presentation for Introduction to SSE-120: Sataellites & Space Systems I - Assessment given by Bob Twiggs on August 19, 2013 at Morehead State University.

Work Ethics For Sse-122: Satellites & Space Systems (Fall 2013), Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

PowerPoint presentation by Professor Bob Twiggs on work ethics for SSE-122: Satellites & Space Systems for the fall 2013 semester, created on August 8, 2013.

Introduction To Sse-120: Sataellites & Space Systems I, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

PowerPoint presentation for Introduction to SSE-120: Sataellites & Space Systems I given by Bob Twiggs on August 6, 2013 at Morehead State University.

A Study Of The Collisional Evolution Of Orbital Debris In Geopotential Wells And Geo Disposal Orbits, Christina R. Diaz

Master's Theses

This thesis will present the effects of the orbital debris evolution in two key areas: the geosynchronous disposal orbit regime known as “graveyard” and the two geopotential wells found in 105◦ W and 75◦ E longitude bins. After developing a GEO specific orbit propagator for NASA Johnson Space Center’s Orbital Debris Of- fice, collisions were simulated throughout these regimes using a low velocity breakup model. This model considered the effects of perturbations particularly non-spherical Earth effects (specifically sectorial and zonal harmonics), lunar effects, third body effects and solar radiation pressure effects. The results show that CDPROP does well in simulating …

The Feasibility And Application Of Observing Small Leo Satellites With Amateur Telescopes, Brock Schmalzel

Master's Theses

This thesis demonstrates that any individual can provide relevant observational data to further research efforts within the Aerospace community, through the use of amateur telescopes. A Meade LX200 12 in. telescope and Lumenera Skynyx 2.0 camera were utilized to observe small LEO satellites, using a well-documented point-and-wait staring method. Over a period of three months, a total of 186 observation attempts were made resulting in 97 successful captures. From the gathered data, three possible aerospace applications were analyzed: validation of a satellite brightness prediction model, angles-only orbit determination including extended Kalman filtering, and temporal error growth in TLE-based orbit propagation. …

Thermal Analysis Of A Monopropellant Micropropulsion System For A Cubesat, Erin C. Stearns

Master's Theses

Propulsive capabilities on a CubeSat are the next step in advancement in the Aerospace Industry. This is no longer a quest that is being sought by just university programs, but a challenge that is being taken on by all of the industry due to the low-cost missions that can be accomplished. At this time, all of the proposed micro-thruster systems still require some form of development or testing before being flight-ready. Stellar Exploration, Inc. is developing a monopropellant micropropulsion system designed specifically for CubeSat application.

The addition of a thruster to a CubeSat would expand the possibilities of what CubeSat …

Design Practice, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on "Design Practice" on July 30, 2013.

Power Storage & Control, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on "Power Storage & Control" on July 30, 2013.

Overview Of Eps, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on an "Overview of EPS" on July 30, 2013.

Power Sources, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs on "Power Sources" on July 30, 2013.

Ramjet Combustion Chamber, Paul Cameron Stone

Aerospace Engineering

A ramjet combustion chamber is designed and some initial assembly fabrication and test completed as a component of a ramjet graduate project for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Supersonic Wind Tunnel. The combustor design is driven by a theoretical model created by a Cal Poly graduate student, Harrison Sykes. Temperature, pressure, and fuel flow will be measured.

Redesigned Aerospace Control System Platform For Laboratory Re-Purposing, Ryan W. Moskaluk

Aerospace Engineering

This senior project encompasses using an aircraft model in conjunction with the 3' by 4' low speed wind tunnel at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The aircraft model is controlled through piezoelectric actuators embedded inside the flexible tail structure via a PID controller. The objective for this project is to demonstrate the effect of tuning the individual PID controller gains with the aircraft model inside the low speed wind tunnel and to create an easy to use graphical user interface for doing so.

Paschen Breakdown In A Co2 Atmosphere, Matthew T. Stumbo

Aerospace Engineering

This report observes and analyzes the effect the pressure and gap distance have on the minimum positive breakdown potential between two parallel plate copper electrodes in both air and CO₂. Two gap distances, 0.57 cm and 2.44 cm, were used. Paschen Curves generated in air from these distances had a strong positive correlation with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.97. Curves generated in CO₂ had a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.87. The strong correlation for both gases verifies Paschen's Law. The minimum breakdown potential in air was 361 ± 2 V at a pressure x gap distance …

Synergistic Effects Of Atomic Oxygen And Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure On Various Spacecraft Materials, Adrian L. Doan

Aerospace Engineering

The Aerospace Engineering Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University features a ground-based system capable of generating atomic oxygen (AO) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation environments, constructed by Max Glicklin in 2012. Experiments using three different spacecraft materials were conducted to test the individual and synergistic effects of these naturally occurring phenomena. Kapton HN functioned as a means to provide initial validation of the presence of AO and VUV radiation. Kapton HN also functioned as a test-fluence standard during testing of two other materials. These materials included aluminized beta cloth, with the non-aluminized side being tested, and Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) …

Thermal Vacuum Chamber Operation And Testing, Leila Tebyani

Aerospace Engineering

The purpose of this senior project is to understand the capabilities of the thermal vacuum chamber in the Space Environments Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University and compare the performance to thermal vacuum chambers used in the aerospace industry. The lowest temperature attained inside the chamber during an experiment at ambient pressure was -33°C. The lowest pressure reached by the vacuum chamber at the time of this project was 5e-5 Torr. This report also yields recommendations for integrating a demonstation of the effects of thermal variation in space on spacecraft components for the class AERO 471. A lit LED can …

Improvement Of Electromagnetic Railgun Barrel Performance And Lifetime By Method Of Interfaces And Augmented Projectiles, Aleksey D. Pavlov

Master's Theses

Several methods of increasing railgun barrel performance and lifetime are investigated. These include two different barrel-projectile interface coatings: a solid graphite coating and a liquid eutectic indium-gallium alloy coating. These coatings are characterized and their usability in a railgun application is evaluated. A new type of projectile, in which the electrical conductivity varies as a function of position in order to condition current flow, is proposed and simulated with FEA software. The graphite coating was found to measurably reduce the forces of friction inside the bore but was so thin that it did not improve contact. The added contact resistance …

Micrometeoroid Fluence Variation In Critical Orbits Due To Asteroid Disruption, Eliot Dan Aretskin-Hariton

Master's Theses

Micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD) is a growing issue with international importance. Micrometeoroids are naturally occurring fragments of rock and dusk that exist throughout the solar system. Orbital debris is human made material like rocket bodies, paint flakes, and the effluent of spacecraft collisions. Even small MMOD particles on the order of 1 cm in diameter have the potential to destroy critical spacecraft systems. Because of this, MMOD is a threat to all spacecraft in orbit. Even governments that most sternly oppose US international policy have a stake when it comes to minimizing MMOD flux. Space-based assets are essential to …